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Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy is a procedure in which a surgeon can examine your internal organs without having to make a large incision in your tummy.

It is performed by making a small incision in your tummy and having a look through with a telescope.

Sometimes a laparoscopy can be done for diagnostic purposes but, at other times, treatment can be performed as well.

The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic (where you are put to sleep). A cut is made in your tummy button and a telescope is passed into your abdomen. Gas is passed into your abdomen to enable the surgeon to have a better look at your organs. If additional surgery is planned 'keyhole surgey', then sometimes a couple of other small incisions will have to made in your tummy so that other instruments can be passed into your tummy to help the surgeon complete the procedure.

A diagnostic Laparoscopy will usually take about 20 minutes, but this will be longer if you are having treatment at the same time.
You will have stitches in your tummy and these will usually be dissolvable. They usually take 7-10 days to dissolve, but if you find that they are getting uncomfortable after 5 days, then you can go to your practice nurse at your G.P. clinic and they can be removed. You may also have some vaginal bleeding which may last for a few days but this should not be too heavy.

You may need to take some time off work. This will depend on what you have had done and what your job involves. We recommend that you have a few days’ rest at least, but you can return to normal activities when you feel able.